Black Forest Fire/Rescue Protection District, Dec. 7 – 2023 budget approved, mill levy certified

2023 budget and mill levy certification
2023 district election
Firefighters take the oath
Water availability
Financial report
Chief’s report
Leadership training attended
Staff kudos

By Natalie Barszcz

At the Black Forest Fire Rescue Protection District (BFFRPD) meeting on Dec. 7, the board approved the 2023 budget and certified the mill levy; approved the 2023 election for the directors, appointing a designated election official; and witnessed two firefighters take the oath of office. The board also received multiple updates.

2023 budget and mill levy certification

President Nate Dowden requested the board approve Resolution 2022-04 adopting the 2023 budget, summarizing expenditures and revenues, and certifying the mill levy at 14.951 mills to generate about $3.7 million for the general operation of the district. See www.ocn.me/v22n12.htm#bffrpd.

The board unanimously approved the resolution.

2023 district election

Dowden requested the board approve Resolution 2022-05, calling for the 2023 regular district election of directors and appointing the Administrative Officer Rachel Dunn as the designated election official.

The board unanimously approved the resolution.

Firefighters take the oath

Deputy Chief of Operations Chris Piepenburg announced that after passing their probationary reviews, firefighters John Dillon and Jason Higdon would be administered the oath of office. The badges the firefighters receive are on loan and represent a symbol to the community that states they will serve to the best of their ability. The badges are owned and paid for by the community and they are lent to firefighters for as long as they display the top standards and what the community expects when they call 911, he said.

The oath of office was administered by Dowden, and family members pinned on the firefighter badges.

Water availability

Dowden asked Deputy Chief James Rebitski about the location of the Northern Delivery System (NDS) pipeline project route, and if Black Forest would be gaining access to the Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) tank south of Old Ranch Road and west of Black Forest Road.

Rebitski said the district had been asked to comment on the NDS project because it runs about 100 yards into the district’s territory, however it will run from the CSU plant from Highway 83/Northgate Road, north under Roller Coaster Road to the intersection of Hodgen/Baptist Roads, then west about a quarter mile until it routes north behind the Sanctuary Pointe development to the Triview Metropolitan District (TMD) plant. To his knowledge no conversation had occurred between the district and the Colorado Springs fire marshal’s office regarding the use of any CSU tank, but 15 fire hydrants are planned along the route of the NDS pipeline. The district will have access to hydrants in an emergency, he said. See www.ocn.me/v22n11.htm#tvmd.

Note: The NDS pipeline is a TMD enterprise designed to convey, treat, and deliver water owned by TMD via CSU’s. See www.ocn.me/v22n12.htm#tvmd.

Resident Linda Smith asked about the water cistern on Treasurer Jack Hinton’s property.

Hinton said the 10,000-gallon cistern belongs to the district, and it is inspected regularly by the Fire Department.

Rebitski said there are several cisterns on private properties and the district has signed agreements to use those cisterns when needed. Just before COVID-19, a typical quote for an installed 10,000-gallon cistern cost about $2.50 per gallon (about $25,000). He had recently been asked about the cost of a 30,000-gallon cistern required for a subdivision awaiting final approval off of Shoup Road, but costs could be higher now, he said.

Financial report

Treasurer Jack Hinton said that as of Nov. 30, the district had about $1.262 million in the operational checking account.

The board unanimously accepted the financial report as presented.

Chief’s report

Administrative Officer Rachel Dunn said the district received the following for November:

Ambulance revenue—$8,834.
Deployment revenue—$10,951.
Total tax revenue was expected to be received on Dec. 10.

Rebitski said the following:

The district is setting up the static IP address for the Station Alerting system.
The district is working on facility planning for Stations 2 and 1, and the potential for a new Station 2.
Several members of the department are submitting ideas to modify station facilities, and sketch plans are being created to save time in the future.
Pump testing was completed in November and all four pumps “passed with flying colors.”
Heaters have been installed in the barn to create a vehicle repair workshop. Before they can be “fired up,” Black Hills Energy will need to install a meter.
All 11 of the high visibility fire danger signs are now installed around the district.
Residential risk assessments are performed as personnel are available. For more information, visit www.bffire.org.

Piepenburg said the operational staff are training about 23.4% of their working hours, and that equates to about nine man-hours of training every 48 hours. About 1,009 hours of training were completed in November. A small brush fire that began in the middle of a field for no apparent reason was extinguished quickly, he said.

Dowden said Fire Chief PJ Langmaid’s primary focus and intent continue to be:

Leadership development for officers and other interested staff.
Succession planning and development for the continuity of operations and service delivery.
Strategic planning and alignment for organizational sustainability and stability.
Building and maintaining relationships with regional partners.
Research and development to increase the district’s capability.

Leadership training attended

Dowden thanked the staff for the professionally presented program that he and Directors Jim Abendschan, Chad Behnken and Kiersten Tarvainen had attended on Dec. 3. The all-hands leadership training provided by Echelon Front Academy and guest speaker Mind Shift “Machine” Nick Lavery was a fabulous training opportunity, and it will stand the district staff in good stead, he said.

Piepenburg said the district received great feedback from the Echelon Front team and the operational staff.

Staff kudos

Hinton expressed his thanks to district vehicle mechanic Gavin Smith for saving thousands of dollars in vehicle repairs every year.

Rebitski said Smith is a blessing to the district.

The meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.

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Meetings are usually held on the third Wednesday of the month at Station 1, 11445 Teachout Road, Colorado Springs. Meetings are open to the public in person or via Zoom. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 18 at 7 p.m. For joining instructions, updates, agendas, minutes, and reports, visit www.bffire.org or contact Administrative Officer Rachel Dunn at admin@bffire.org or call 719-495-4300.

Natalie Barszcz can be reached at nataliebarszcz.ocn.me.